Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Rong Si froze, taken aback by Bai Qi’s sudden remark. His lips parted, but no sound escaped.

He liked Bai Qi…

Rong Si briefly closed his eyes, then turned his head, trying to avoid the topic. But Bai Qi seized his wrist. “I can feel it. Your emotions for me are different.”

Omegas weren’t so oblivious. Rong Si’s gaze, the tone of his voice when speaking to him—Bai Qi could discern a lot from them.

“If I were an Alpha…” Rong Si looked at Bai Qi, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “If I had met you earlier, perhaps things wouldn’t be like this.”

Bai Qi’s gaze softened. He sighed. “There are no ‘ifs.’ Hypotheticals never come true.”

He wouldn’t fall in love with Rong Si; his feelings for him were purely platonic.

Rong Si murmured a soft “Mm,” lowering his eyes. “I’ve never liked anyone before. The moment I saw you, everything felt different.”

“I won’t intrude on your life or interfere with your relationships.”

“Rong Si, I’m not saying this to make you sad.” Bai Qi leaned closer to Rong Si. “I want you to be happy and healthy. I hope you find happiness. I don’t care what feelings you have for me; I only know you’re my only friend here.”

“I care about you deeply.”

Bai Qi had always been open and generous with his emotions, expressing them with warmth. Rong Si felt as if he were being consumed by the Omega’s intense feelings, his breath catching in his throat. He pressed his lips together, his eyes quickly reddening. “Okay… okay.”

“I’ll stay with you until you leave.”

“Don’t be sad.”

Bai Qi spoke softly to Rong Si, then took the fruit plate again. This time, it didn’t fall to the ground, and the two of them calmly ate the fruit.

“Let’s rest for a bit, then go buy clothes.”

Qi Heyan had given Bai Qi a generous sum, more than enough for a shopping spree. The Omega leaned back on the sofa. “Where should we go shopping?”

“There’s a specialized mall. Don’t worry, it has dedicated staff, so there won’t be any danger.” Rong Si glanced at Bai Qi, who was watching TV, occasionally humming a tune, looking quite content.

Rong Si had heard about the events of the past few days, but he’d been confined to his sickbed, utterly helpless.

Once he could get out of bed, he immediately called Bai Qi, wanting to check on him. He worried the Omega might be in low spirits.

But it was Qi Heyan who answered. The Alpha said Bai Qi was feeling unwell and couldn’t take the call. Rong Si was about to press for more details when he heard the sound of them kissing.

Bai Qi was in heat.

Rong Si had no choice but to hang up, sitting alone in his study, lost in thought.

The marks on the Omega were unmistakable—his neck was covered in hickeys. Rong Si could also sense Qi Heyan’s pheromones permeating Bai Qi, as if saturating him from head to toe, inside and out.

He felt no jealousy. He only wondered if Bai Qi was truly happy. He had always felt that the Omega hadn’t seemed quite himself since arriving here.

Bai Qi shouldn’t be like this.

“Is there something on my face?” Bai Qi wiped his cheek, looking puzzled. “Why are you staring at me?”

“Nothing.” Rong Si snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. “It’s about time. We can head out now.”

“Okay.”

Bai Qi’s eyes lit up at those words. He immediately stood, straightened his clothes, and waited for Rong Si to lead the way. “Let’s go, let’s go!”

“Alright.”

Rong Si chuckled at Bai Qi’s eagerness. He got up and had a car arranged, and the two headed to the specialized mall.

Not just anyone could enter that mall; only those of high status could shop there. Rong Si and Bai Qi entered without any restrictions, and a dedicated assistant guided them through their purchases.

“So cute!”

Bai Qi entered the maternity and baby section, filled with infant products and all kinds of tiny clothes. The Omega was immediately captivated. He picked up a small outfit, imagining how adorable his baby would look wearing it after birth.

“Look, it’s too cute.”

Bai Qi was utterly engrossed. As if sensing his excitement, the baby gave a gentle kick.

“Do you like this set too?” Bai Qi whispered, holding up a baby outfit for Rong Si to see. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“Very!”

Rong Si couldn't help but pick out a few items himself. The two Omegas spent the afternoon browsing, ending up with quite a haul.

Bai Qi paid without a second thought. He completed the transaction smoothly, and the guards carried their purchases away.

“Shopping all afternoon is exhausting.” Bai Qi massaged his lower back as they found a place to sit. “Are you tired?”

Rong Si didn’t hide it. He nodded. “Tired.”

“Shopping takes energy too.” Bai Qi sighed, catching his breath. “Let’s rest a little longer.”

“Sure.” Rong Si exhaled and stood. “I need to use the restroom. The guards will stay with you, so don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

Bai Qi nodded obediently, watching Rong Si leave. Once the other Omega was out of sight, he opened his comm-device and sent Qi Heyan a message.

He had taken many photos and sent them all to Qi Heyan, believing that a father should be more involved in raising his child—otherwise, how would they bond later?

Qi Heyan’s reply wasn’t particularly slow: “Bought everything?”

Bai Qi: “Yes.”

Qi Heyan: “Mm. Busy now. Talk later.”

Bai Qi: “Okay.”

The conversation ended there. Bai Qi pursed his lips but didn’t press further. He scrolled through his comm-device for a while, then, feeling bored, shut it off and stared blankly into space.

“Bai Qi.”

Someone suddenly called his name. The Omega immediately tensed, looking up to see the same Omega he’d encountered last time.

It was the slightly shorter one, his smile tinged with malice. “Didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Bai Qi frowned, relaxing only slightly after confirming the guards were nearby. “What do you want?”

“What are you doing here?” The other didn’t approach Bai Qi too closely, his lips curling. “Accompanying… the Crown Prince?”

Bai Qi’s frown didn’t ease. He exhaled. “Just shopping.”

“That’s wonderful.” The other person suddenly clapped his hands, his smile growing even brighter. “Did you know he’s here too?”

Bai Qi’s breath hitched. “What are you trying to say?”

“The Prince, he’s meeting with a noble Omega,” he said, glancing upward. “They’re dining upstairs. Don’t you want to see?”

Bai Qi pressed his lips together, recalling the message Qi Heyan had sent him. He still couldn’t quite believe this person’s words. “Why should I trust you?”

“Just go and see for yourself,” the other replied, looking at him with a hint of pity. “He’ll marry another Omega. He’ll marry someone else. Your past with the Prince will be completely erased.”

“Really…”

The man raised an eyebrow, as if tempting Bai Qi. “Not going to take a look?”

.

Bai Qi went anyway. Standing in a hidden corner, he watched through the glass as two people sat inside. Across from Qi Heyan was a beautiful Omega, whose movements were graceful. Whatever the Alpha said made the Omega laugh, their eyes filled with unmistakable admiration.

“Last time, we were just following orders. We didn’t mean to target you specifically,” the man beside Bai Qi whispered. “It’s better to cut your losses now.”

Bai Qi remained silent. He turned and walked downstairs, no one following him. The Omega felt a sense of unreality—otherwise, why would he see Qi Heyan here?

Qi Heyan had said he wouldn’t marry anyone else, so why was he meeting another Omega?

“Where are you?”

Bai Qi returned to where he had been sitting earlier. Rong Si hadn’t returned yet, so he sent a message to the Alpha.

After a while, Qi Heyan replied: “Busy with something.”

Bai Qi pressed further: “What kind of meeting?”

Qi Heyan: “You wouldn’t understand.”

*So that’s it—he wouldn’t understand…*

Bai Qi’s tears fell without warning. He cried silently, then shut off his comm-device and slowly stood up, his voice sounding distant. “Please inform the Prince that I’d like to go home. I won’t wait for him.”

The guards had driven separately. Bai Qi walked steadily, step by step, too lost to articulate his feelings. He felt only bewilderment. But why was he crying?

The Omega returned to the Alpha’s home, having cried the entire way. No one comforted him; it was as if they didn’t even see his tears. Perhaps that was for the best—he wouldn’t draw attention.

Bai Qi sat on the sofa, his breaths coming heavily, each one seeming to be a struggle.

Qi Heyan had lied to him. This wasn’t business at all.

No, perhaps marriage negotiations counted as important business.

Bai Qi offered a bitter smile, unsure whether he was mocking himself or Qi Heyan.

Bai Qi sat motionless on the sofa as the sun set, the sky darkening completely. The house lights came on in the evening, yet he remained in the same position, unmoving.

“I’m back.” Qi Heyan pushed the door open and walked in, looking tired as he frowned slightly and changed his shoes. “Let’s see what you bought today. Next time, I’ll go with you.”

After a pause with no response, the Alpha walked over, puzzled. “Bai Qi? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“What’s wrong?”

Qi Heyan squeezed Bai Qi’s shoulder and asked again, “What happened? Are you feeling unwell?”

“Qi Heyan.”

Bai Qi finally responded, slowly lifting his head, his eyes filled with confusion. “They say… there’s no end to this misery…”

“Is it still too late for me to turn back now?”